Nord User Forum

Hi everybody,

yesterday I got a mint NM1 Rack version with expansion board that I bought over ebay. So I tried to set up the Synth until I realized that the editor is not working with OSX 10.7 and higher. So I read many forums and try to find a solution, but I really not sure what is the best workarround.
I also not sure how I need to connect all to get it working so I need your help.
1. Is the virtualbox with Win XP stable to use the editor? Or is Nomad the better way? Because I not want to set up an extra PC or old Mac to use the editor if this is not really need.
2. What is the correct set up for the midi? Does I need any extra midi box?
My Hardware is:
iMac 2012 osx 10.8.3
Saffire Pro 40 (Midi in / out)
Novation 61 SL MK II (Midi in / out / thru)
DAW Ableton 9
All other Synth or Midi Controllers work via USB
If I understand it right, I need to connect the PC in and out to the Saffire out and in Midi Ports. And can trigger the Synth via the Novation using the normal Midi out on Novation and Midi in on NM1. But what does I need to do if I like to trigger the Synth and Knobs from Ableton? I really never had much to do with the normal Midi, I always use USB so I would say I'm a Midi Newbie.
It will be really great if someone could help me.

Chris Ghost wrote:1. Is the virtualbox with Win XP stable to use the editor? Or is Nomad the better way? Because I not want to set up an extra PC or old Mac to use the editor if this is not really need.

Does the editor use a USB connection to the NM1, or MIDI? If it just uses USB, I think it would work fine if you assign that USB port to Windows XP. If it's MIDI, I'd use a MIDI interface that isn't shared with OSX (at the time of editing) and is connected via USB, so you can again give XP full control over that.

I think you can share OSX's MIDI interface with XP so they could theoretically use it at the same time, but I have some doubts about how well that would work.

Personally I use Parallels to run both Windows XP and Windows 7 on my Mac and assigning USB devices exclusively to the virtual machines has always worked problem free for me. For example, I do that with the USB dongle/interface for my RC helicopter simulator (http://www.phoenix-sim.com/).

Chris Ghost wrote:2. What is the correct set up for the midi? Does I need any extra midi box?
My Hardware is:
iMac 2012 osx 10.8.3
Saffire Pro 40 (Midi in / out)
Novation 61 SL MK II (Midi in / out / thru)
DAW Ableton 9
All other Synth or Midi Controllers work via USB

I'd exclusively assign that Remote SL mk2 (I have the 49-key version) to the Windows XP VM for editing; also makes testing patches easier. The Saffire probably uses a Firewire connection, right?

You could also get a cheap MIDI-over-USB cable; would probably only cost you 15 euro.

I imagine you can send patches to the NM1 using Sysex messages from a sequencer, but Live 8 didn't support Sysex and I think 9 also doesn't (Logic Pro 9 does though).

Chris Ghost wrote: If I understand it right, I need to connect the PC in and out to the Saffire out and in Midi Ports. And can trigger the Synth via the Novation using the normal Midi out on Novation and Midi in on NM1. But what does I need to do if I like to trigger the Synth and Knobs from Ableton? I really never had much to do with the normal Midi, I always use USB so I would say I'm a Midi Newbie.
It will be really great if someone could help me.

If you have Live control the NM1 via MIDI (so not directly the Remote SL, though you could use it as a MIDI interface for Live) you could use either knobs/sliders on the Remote as well as automation (or MIDI mapped stuff) in Live.

If you would then move a slider/knob on the Remote SL, it would go over USB to Live, get processed/modified and would be sent via MIDI to the NM1 (either via a MIDI out port on the Remote SL or via the Saffire). If you have the Remote SL send MIDI directly to the NM1 (also possible), Live won't be in the loop which will give you a less flexible setup (though latency will be a bit lower).

Anyway, feel free to ask more MIDI related questions.

Hey, thanks for the reply, I already got the editor to work on my Win7 Notebook and can load and save patches, that is working fine.
I orderd this usb to midi cable now, that can be really helpful and try to trigger the knobs with Live.
I also will try to run a Win XP in virtualbox to manage the editor form my iMac, I hope this will work.
I think the cable arrive until tmr, if any queston I will ask you.